EXHIBIT 5.1


             On Letterhead of Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein L.L.P.






                                        March 25, 1999

Board of Directors
HLM Design, Inc.
121 West Trade Street, Suite 2950
Charlotte, North Carolina

Dear Sirs:

        We are acting as counsel to HLM Design, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation, execution, filing and
processing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"),
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the issuance and sale of up to 57,954 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par
value $.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), reserved for issuance under the
Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). This opinion is furnished
to you for filing with the Commission pursuant to Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation
S-K promulgated under the Act.

        In our representation of the Company, we have examined the Registration
Statement, the Plan, and the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws, each as amended to date, all pertinent actions of the
Company's Board of Directors recorded in the Company's minute book, the form of
certificate evidencing the Shares and such other documents as we have considered
necessary for purposes of rendering the opinions expressed below.

        Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

        1.     The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
               and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

        2.     The Shares proposed to be offered and sold by the Company under
               the Plan have been duly authorized for issuance and, subject to
               the Registration Statement becoming effective under the Act and
               to compliance with any applicable state securities laws and to
               the issuance of such Shares in accordance with the provisions of
               the Plan, the Shares will be, when so issued, legally issued,
               fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the
               Company.

        The opinions expressed herein are limited to the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware and the Act.




Board of Directors
HLM Design, Inc.
March 25, 1999
Page 2


        We hereby consent to the use of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to
the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are
in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act
or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                            
                                           Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein L.L.P.